Baltic Christmas Markets by Train

Vilnius to Riga takes approximately 4 hours 15 minutes. Riga to Tallinn takes approximately 4 hours 35 minutes. Both train tickets are included in the package. Transfers between your hotel and each train station are not included, but can be added to your quote at an additional cost. Contact the Yes Getaways team to arrange this.

• Vilnius, Lithuania: the main market at Cathedral Square, with a second market at Town Hall Square.
• Riga, Latvia: the main market at Dome Square, beside Riga Cathedral, with smaller markets at Esplanade Park and Livu Square.
• Tallinn, Estonia: the main market at Town Hall Square, where a Christmas tree has stood every year since 1441, plus a more modern market at Balti Jaam, next to the train station.

Market dates vary slightly by city for the 2026 season. Vilnius stalls run November 28 to December 27. Riga runs November 27 to January 3. Tallinn runs the longest, November 20 to January 6, to include Orthodox Christmas celebrations. To guarantee all three markets are open during your visit, this package is only available for departures between November 27 and December 24.

All three cities run cold in December, with frequent snow and short daylight hours, around 6 to 7 hours of light. 

• Vilnius, further inland, sees less wind but can drop sharply on clear nights, averaging 0°C max, -4°C min (32°F max, 25°F min).
•  Riga is notably humid, which intensifies the cold, averaging 1°C max, -3°C min (34°F max, 27°F min), with frequent snow cover. 
• Tallinn, the northernmost stop, is coldest with coastal wind, averaging 0°C max, -4°C min (32°F max, 25°F min), often feeling colder still, below -8°C (18°F) with wind chill.

Hotels for this package are typically centrally located, within walking distance of each city's Christmas market, though some light walking may still be needed. Hotels are typically 3-star or 4-star, with upgrades available to 4-star and 5-star properties. Exact properties are confirmed at booking or shown on the next step when you click See Dates and Prices. The package price depends on the accommodation selected.

Yes. The Yes Getaways team can add nights in Vilnius, Riga, or Tallinn based on your preferences, adjusting train tickets and hotel bookings to match. Any change must still keep each city's visit within that market's operating dates (Vilnius: Nov 28 to Dec 27, Riga: Nov 27 to Jan 3, Tallinn: Nov 20 to Jan 6), so the actual market stalls are open when you're there. Contact the team with your preferred pace and we'll rebuild the itinerary around it.

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Yes Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking, which we encourage you to read before confirming. 

For general support, contact the Yes Getaways team at our regular number, available every day from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Outside those hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, dial 112.

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are all Schengen Area members. US and Canadian passport holders currently do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. It's the traveler's responsibility to check current documentation requirements on their government's official travel site before departure. ETIAS is not yet mandatory for Schengen entry, we will notify you when that changes. 

⚠️ Layover note: if your flight itinerary connects through the United Kingdom (for example, via London), a separate UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required for US and Canadian passport holders, even for a layover or transit connection. The UK is not part of Schengen and has its own entry authorization, apply for the ETA in advance through the official UK government website, it is not issued on arrival.

All three countries use the euro (EUR), so there's no need to exchange currency between stops on this trip. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, though it's worth carrying some cash for smaller vendors at the Christmas markets.

All three old towns are compact and walkable, and most of what's covered in this itinerary is reachable on foot from central hotels. Taxis and rideshare apps are both available in each city if you'd rather not walk, particularly useful for reaching the train station on travel days.

Expect temperatures at or below freezing throughout, so pack a warm winter coat, insulated boots, gloves, a hat, and layers you can add or remove. The markets involve a fair amount of standing and walking outdoors, so comfortable, waterproof footwear matters more than fashion here.